Best Paying Jobs In Real Estate Investment Trusts
Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, own, operate or finance income-producing real estate. They allow investors to earn a share of the income produced through commercial real estate ownership without purchasing the properties themselves.
What are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)?
REITs own and operate real estate assets like apartment buildings, hospitals, office buildings, hotels, and shopping malls. They are designed to provide investors with the benefits of commercial real estate ownership without directly purchasing, managing, or financing properties.
REITs must meet specific IRS requirements, including distributing at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders annually as dividends. This structure allows REITs to avoid corporate income taxes, making them attractive investments.
19 Best-Paying Jobs in REITs
Now, look at some of the best-paying jobs in the REIT world. Remember, these are average salaries, so some people might earn more or less depending on their experience, location, and the specific company they work for.
| Job Title | National Average Salary | Primary Duties |
1. Subcontractor – |
$140,321 per year | Works on specific parts of construction projects, often specializing in areas like plumbing or electrical work. |
2. ERP Project Manager – |
$107,689 per year | Helps organizations improve their operations by developing systems and analyzing data. |
3. Attorney – |
$97,777 per year | Handles legal aspects of real estate deals, prepares documents, and negotiates terms. |
4. Real Estate Agent – |
$96,972 per year | Helps clients buy, sell, and rent properties. |
5. Realtor – |
$95,407 per year | Similar to a real estate agent, but is a member of the National Association of Realtors. |
6. Construction Superintendent – |
$90,463 per year | Oversees construction projects and ensures they’re completed safely and on time. |
7. Property Developer – |
$90,398 per year | Plans and manages real estate projects from start to finish. |
8. Investor Relations Manager – |
$89,395 per year | Communicates between a company’s leaders and its investors. |
9. Asset Manager – |
$89,324 per year | Manages and invests in real estate and other assets to make money for clients. |
10. Development Director – |
$85,479 per year | Plans and oversees fundraising activities for the company |
11. Quality Assurance Engineer – |
$78,465 per year | Checks that projects meet quality standards and fixes any problems. |
12. Broker – |
$77,384 per year | An experienced real estate agent who can work independently and supervise others. |
13. New Home Sales Consultant – |
$74,071 per year | Shows and sells newly built homes to potential buyers. |
14. Financial Analyst – |
$73,812 per year | Studies financial information to help make smart investment decisions. |
15. Analyst – |
$73,774 per year | Researches trends and data to help the company make better decisions. |
16. Property Accountant – |
$70,668 per year | Keeps track of the money coming in and going out for real estate properties. |
17. Leasing Agent – |
$62,908 per year | Helps property owners find tenants for their rental properties. |
18. Property Manager – |
$56,009 per year | Takes care of the day-to-day operations of real estate properties. |
19. Inbound Sales Representative – |
$41,843 per year | Answers calls from potential customers and helps generate new business. |
How to Prepare for a Career in REITs
If you’re interested in working in the world of REITs someday, here are some things you can start doing now:
- Learn about real estate: Start reading books or websites about real estate and how it works. Understanding the basics will give you a head start.
- Develop your math skills: Many jobs in REITs involve working with numbers, so being good at math is really helpful.
- Practice communication: Whether you’re selling homes or managing properties, being able to communicate well with people is super important.
- Stay informed: Keep up with news about real estate and the economy. This will help you understand how the industry works and changes over time.
- Consider your interests: Look at the different jobs in the table and think about which ones sound most interesting to you. This can help guide your future education and career choices.
- Get good grades: Many of these jobs require college degrees, so doing well in school now will help you prepare for higher education later.
These positions cover various responsibilities, from property management and development to financial analysis and legal counsel. Many of these roles require specialized knowledge, industry experience, and a high level of expertise, reflected in their competitive salaries.
Whether you’re interested in real estate’s technical aspects, the financial side, or customer-facing roles, the REIT industry offers a variety of well-paying career paths for individuals with the right skills and qualifications.
